Thanksgiving Week Office Hours; My Day of Action for the Unhoused

Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El November 21, 2025 | 1:05 PM

Dear Neighbor,

In this week’s e-newsletter, I share with you information about the budget passing and upcoming events:

Office Hours Next Week
Recap of My Legislative Action Day for the Unhoused
ACT NOW: Congress Must Stop HUD
Legislative Update: Legislation Passed in the Capitol
Upcoming Events: Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair (11/30), Immigration Advocacy Summit (12/2), Blue Christmas (12/4), Healthy Masculinity: Redefining Strength (12/6), Rescheduled Transit Rally (12/9)
Beware of Scams Targeting Veterans
State Grant Program Funding Available
Community Resources
Student Opportunity

Office Hours Next Week

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, my office will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Nov. 28, and will reopen on Monday morning, Dec. 1.

We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Recap of My Legislative Action Day for the Unhoused

on Tuesday, Nov. 18!

Since my days working with the unhoused in Lancaster, I have acted out of a belief that housing is a human right. The most effective remedy for homelessness is a home, not fines or incarceration that only dehumanize our fellow Pennsylvanians. Make no mistake, the criminalization of the homeless aims to make the prison-industrial complex—which has long profited off the vulnerability of poor Black and Brown people—richer.

If the U.S. Supreme Court will not do its job, if the Trump administration defunds homelessness programs instead of doing its job, then it is up to the Pennsylvania General Assembly to do ours. We will not send our neighbors to prison; we will bring them home.

The current attacks on the homeless by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Trump administration threaten the very ideals of equality on which our nation was founded. An attack on the rights of the homeless is ultimately an attack on our rights to justice and liberty for all.

At a time of skyrocketing housing and rental prices, stagnant wages and rising inflation, most Pennsylvanians are just one household crisis away from destitution themselves. In short, we are all at risk of homelessness. We must stop thinking of homes as a wealth asset but rather as a material good needed and deserved by all.

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American liberty. The fight for our unhoused neighbors is a fight for the rights and freedoms on which our country is built. Today we come together to bend the arc of government to the pursuit of justice for all and call on Pennsylvania’s 2558 municipalities to ensure that each of our neighbors has a home.

Tuesday began with state Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and me introducing our companion legislation in the Pennsylvania House (H.B. 2028) and Senate (S.B. 1089) that would decriminalize homelessness across the commonwealth.

Our Shelter First legislation would allow people experiencing homelessness to conduct life-sustaining activity in public spaces when no reasonable, alternative options for housing are offered or available. Municipalities would be required to provide adequate indoor spaces for people experiencing homelessness before the municipality could enforce any ordinance that would criminalize living outside.

In the afternoon, I joined state Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, in celebrating the adoption of H.R. 337 designating Nov. 17 – 21 “Pennsylvania Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania.

The resolution also designates Nov. 21 “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. Red Shirt Day is observed annually to spread awareness of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Rep. Curry and I hosted a news conference and fireside chat on the topic of youth homelessness to help educate attendees and the public about the issue, its causes, and possible solutions.

Our resolution is a call to awareness and a call to action. It makes Pennsylvanians aware of the youth homelessness crisis in PA, which has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students to exceeding 50,000 today. It calls on us to recognize that the resources for homeless youth are even more limited due to federal funding cuts. It calls on us to act by planning for and supporting assistance programs so that our homeless youth have continued access to a quality education, as is their right. If we don’t do anything, student homelessness will ultimately turn into adult homelessness—a prison of endless struggle and insecurity.

Housing is the surest way for people to gain security in their lives. We must act now for our homeless community and for Pennsylvania.

Interested people can watch video from the news conference here and the fireside chat here.

Article from LNP about homelessness in Lancaster.

For more information about my day of action, click here: https://www.pahouse.net/Smith-Wade-El/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=141148

Click on the image below to hear my remarks about my Shelter First legislation.

ACT NOW: Congress Must Stop HUD

Thanks to the Trump administration, your community’s federal homelessness funding is in jeopardy, and the nation’s homelessness response is under attack.

You Can Do Something!

I urge you to contact your U.S. Senators and Congress people to continue to support housing for homeless people.

Tell your U.S. Senators to include a provision in an upcoming appropriations bill that directs HUD to renew all existing Continuum of Care grants that provide housing for the unhoused which is due to expire during 2026 for one 12-month period.

This no-cost provision is consistent with bipartisan Congressional direction and will ensure there are no unnecessary gaps and delays in resources.

And, tell your Congressperson to take action to intervene and find a path to protect Continuum of Care Program funding from the inevitable timing delays and abrupt changes that HUD is attempting.

Your phone call can help prevent 170,000 Americans from losing housing!

Legislative Update

This bill passed the House and is on its way to the Senate:

HB 1528 would help grandparents caring for grandchildren by providing emergency grants to grandparents faced with primary caregiver expenses for grandchildren whose parents are undergoing an opioid use disorder treatment program.

On the Governor’s Desk to be Signed into Law:

H.B. 439—The PA CROWN Act—will amend the PA Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on a person's hair type, hair texture, or hairstyle.

S.B. 88 will reduce financial burden for patients facing breast cancer by requiring health insurance policies to cover medically necessary diagnostic breast exams, including MRI or ultrasound, without patient cost sharing. The House passed a similar bill in May – HB 433.

H.B. 923 will shield seniors from losing PACE and PACENET prescription eligibility if their annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment exceeds normal income eligibility guidelines. This protection currently is in place until Dec. 31, 2025. The bill will extend it for two more years -- until Dec. 31, 2027.

SB 520 will expand the list of law enforcement personnel who can wear a body camera-- deputy law enforcement officers with the Fish & Boat Commission and the Game Commission, DCNR Rangers and State Park Officers--providing an accurate account of officer engagement, protecting the public and officers alike.

H.B. 1176 will make it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that is rightfully theirs — and reduce the financial burden following the death of a loved one. The law will:

Increase the amount of unclaimed property that heirs can claim from the Pennsylvania Treasury using a notarized relationship affidavit from $11,000 up to $20,000.
Raise the amount a financial institution may release to a family member of a deceased individual from $10,000 to $20,000 if the family member presents a receipt verifying funeral expenses have been paid.
Redirect the estates of decedents who die with no will and no heirs to an endowed community fund near the place of the decedent’s last residence.

Community Events

Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair

Since 2000, the Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair community event has promoted altruistic giving through the purchase of alternative gifts. On Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, holiday shoppers can purchase fair trade, social enterprise, environmentally friendly, business for good, and locally and ethically sourced gifts, as well as delicious tastes from around the world. Learn more at https://giftsthatgivehopelancaster.org/.

Immigration Advocacy Summit

Wonder what immigration advocates here in Lancaster are doing and how you can get involved? Join numerous advocacy organizations to learn about local efforts to advocate for and empower immigrants, and how you can help.

Join us on Dec. 2!

5 p.m. - Doors Open

5:30 p.m. - Introductory remarks by Rep. Smith-Wade-El

6:30 p.m. - Movement Meet-Up to learn about the organizations involved

Space is limited for the presentation so RSVP early to reserve your spot. If your plans change, please cancel officially to make room for others to sign up.

RSVP here: https://mobilize.us/s/FN6bVf

Note: No RSVP is required for the "Movement Meet-Up" after 6:30 p.m. in the lobby.

Beyond Hallmark: A Blue Christmas

LiFT United Church of Christ will hold a Blue Christmas program on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at 540 West Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603. This gathering will provide a safe, creative space for people to process grief, resist hopelessness, and rediscover hope through music, storytelling, and performance.

The program reinterprets the Christmas narrative, not as a commercial or purely religious celebration, but as a story of resistance, justice, and solidarity amid empire and forced displacement. Alongside reimagined Christmas themes, the evening will include secular songs and personal stories that lift up our community in hard times.

This is an opportunity for local artists, poets, and musicians, etc. to share their work with Lancaster residents in a spirit of collective reflection and healing.

Healthy Masculinity: Redefining Strength

On Dec. 6 from 3:30 p.m. -5 p.m., come to the Lancaster Public Library Board Room for a discussion group where adult men can explore how masculinity impacts mental health, relationships, media, and more, and build tools for emotional resilience and authentic connection.

Transit Rally in Lancaster

Join me, state Rep. Nikki Rivera and Transit for All PA at our rally for increased bus services in Lancaster from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Queen Street Station at 225 N. Queen St.

In the District

Thanksgiving Food Pantry with Crispus Attucks

and Community Action Partnership

This week our team joined CAP for the annual Thanksgiving food pantry event at Crispus Attucks. Over 200 families in our community left with a turkey donated by GIANT and self-selected fixings for their holiday meals. Kudos to Josh, Yahya, and the whole Crispus Attucks team for a seamless and successful event!

Puerto Rican Heritage Day

David Ramos represented our office at two recent events celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Day, honoring the strength, history, and traditions that make Puerto Rico’s spirit shine wherever its people go. ¡Wepa! Photo credit from the Lancaster flag ceremony to City Councilor-Elect Nancy Millan.

Scams targeting veterans are on the rise

The latest scam targeting veterans’ benefits is more sophisticated than many other tactics. It involves a direct-mail postcard claiming to offer eligible veterans an additional $160 per month through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.” This fake program does not actually exist. The postcard appears official at first glance, using formal language and referencing real programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life. It urges you to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a tactic often used to pressure older folks into responding quickly.

What to do if you’re targeted

If you or your veteran family member are solicited by a suspected scammer, please contact the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at 800-547-2838. Accredited Veteran Service Officers are available at no cost to provide guidance, confirm legitimacy, and help protect veterans from scams that threaten their financial well-being.

Government Programs

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline is Dec. 31

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 or older.

The PTRR deadline is coming up fast—Dec. 31^st! Reach out to our office if you have questions.

Click here to learn whether you qualify, how much you would receive and to apply online.

State Grant Program Funding Available

The latest grant opportunities from the state have been released! My office is happy to connect you with government funding opportunities like these, so please reach out if you have any questions or need a letter of support.

America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program

To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and honor Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education, America250PA will award $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending in-state colleges next school year.

Any Pennsylvania high school senior planning to attend a college or university in Pennsylvania for the 2026–27 academic year is eligible to apply. Twenty-five scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded.

Applications are due Jan. 31, 2026. More details, including matching opportunities from partner institutions, can be found here.

National Civics Bee Applications Available!

The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is proud to once again serve as a regional host for the National Civics Bee®, an initiative that encourages middle school students to explore the importance of civic engagement and deepen their understanding of how our government works. This competition provides a unique opportunity for students to become more active, informed members of their communities and potentially earn recognition and cash prizes, including $100,000 in a 529 education savings account.

The National Civics Bee® is open to all 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students across Pennsylvania. To enter, students must submit a short essay responding to a civics-related prompt. The application portal is now open, and the deadline to submit is Feb. 3, 2026. Participation is free.